It was a new scene after the game.

Sitting in the press conference after a 42-3 win over Tennessee Tech Saturday, NIU coach Joe Novak answered every question with a smile. He joked with reporters and the players who sat alongside him.

Nobody looked tired or upset. Everybody was loose and playful. That’s what happens when you get that first win of the season.

“A win is a win,” Novak said. “We saw some good things today.”

Those good things came early for the Huskies.

Two plays into the game, NIU’s Phil Horvath found receiver Shatone Powers for a 37-yard touchdown pass. NIU never looked back.

By the end of the first half, Horvath had thrown three more touchdowns to go along with his 218 yards.

Powers lead the team with four catches for 109 yards, and along with teammate Sam Hurd, caught two touchdown passes.

“Phil isn’t always pretty,” Novak said. “But he gets it done and we’ve been very pleased.”

Running back A.J. Harris came in after Garrett Wolfe left the game with a right shoulder injury and racked up 123 yards on the ground, including a 55-yard touchdown run.

NIU fans also got a look at future players.

Wide receiver/quarterback Britt Davis took his first collegiate snaps under center.

The freshman completed 2-of-3 passes for 17 yards while rushing for 33 yards and a touchdown.

Backup running backs Adrian Davis and Montel Clanton rushed for 62 and 50 yards, respectively, in the second half.

But not all the glory went to the offense.

NIU’s defense had given up over 900 yards combined in its first two games. At halftime of Saturday’s game the Huskies had given up only 66 yards. It allowed 205 yards for the game.

Defensive end Larry English lead the Huskie attack as he racked up five tackles, two for loss, a fumble recovery and a sack.

Filling in for leading tackler Dustin Utschig, who had the flu, safety Mark Reiter didn’t miss a beat. His 10 tackles led the team, and he also broke up a pass.

“I’m not ready to crown them a championship defense,” Novak said. “But they are much improved.”

But despite the win, NIU can’t help but look toward Saturday. The team travels to Akron to start MAC play.

“Today was huge,” Horvath said. “Now we’re ready to achieve our goals.”